Former Rich Fork Baptist choir director dies in accident

Published: Monday, October 7, 2013 at 11:12 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 7, 2013 at 11:12 a.m.

A Wallburg man who was the former choir director at Rich Fork Baptist Church in Thomasville died after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash near his residence Saturday afternoon on N.C. Highway 109 North.

John Charles Gwaltney, 71, of Aztec Drive, died after the accident, said Pam Kearns, a spokeswoman with the State Highway Patrol. The accident occurred at 1:20 p.m. on N.C. Highway 109 North, about 72 feet from Gene Clodfelter Drive.

“John's personality was larger than life,” said the Rev. Michael Bowers, senior pastor at Rich Fork. Bowers said Gwaltney last served at Rich Fork in 2001, where he was the choir director for at least 10 years. The pastor said Gwaltney had a “very commanding voice” and was responsible for a lot of growth at the church in the music department.

“We were definitely in shock,” Bowers said, referring to learning of Gwaltney's death. “… I know John had served in numerous churches in Davidson and Guilford counties for years and because of that, he had relationships that were far-reaching.”

Gwaltney, driving a 1963 Pontiac passenger vehicle, was traveling south on N.C. 109, and a 2003 Toyota passenger vehicle, driven by 44-year-old Michael Blake Nesser of Castleton Drive in Clemmons, was traveling north on N.C. 109. Kearns said the Pontiac went left of center and collided head-on with the Toyota. Gwaltney, Nesser and Nesser's passenger, 10-year-old Matthew Edward Nesser, were each transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

The Nessers were wearing seatbelts while Gwaltney was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the Highway Patrol.

Michael Nesser was in good condition on Monday, and Matthew Nesser was in fair condition, a hospital spokeswoman at WFBMC said.

Contributing circumstances by Gwaltney in the accident were inattention and crossing the center line. The speed limit in the area of where the accident occurred is 45 miles per hour. Gwaltney was estimated to be traveling 50 mph and Nesser 45 mph.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.

<p>A Wallburg man who was the former choir director at Rich Fork Baptist Church in Thomasville died after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash near his residence Saturday afternoon on N.C. Highway 109 North.</p><p>John Charles Gwaltney, 71, of Aztec Drive, died after the accident, said Pam Kearns, a spokeswoman with the State Highway Patrol. The accident occurred at 1:20 p.m. on N.C. Highway 109 North, about 72 feet from Gene Clodfelter Drive.</p><p>“John's personality was larger than life,” said the Rev. Michael Bowers, senior pastor at Rich Fork. Bowers said Gwaltney last served at Rich Fork in 2001, where he was the choir director for at least 10 years. The pastor said Gwaltney had a “very commanding voice” and was responsible for a lot of growth at the church in the music department.</p><p>“We were definitely in shock,” Bowers said, referring to learning of Gwaltney's death. “… I know John had served in numerous churches in Davidson and Guilford counties for years and because of that, he had relationships that were far-reaching.”</p><p>Gwaltney, driving a 1963 Pontiac passenger vehicle, was traveling south on N.C. 109, and a 2003 Toyota passenger vehicle, driven by 44-year-old Michael Blake Nesser of Castleton Drive in Clemmons, was traveling north on N.C. 109. Kearns said the Pontiac went left of center and collided head-on with the Toyota. Gwaltney, Nesser and Nesser's passenger, 10-year-old Matthew Edward Nesser, were each transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.</p><p>The Nessers were wearing seatbelts while Gwaltney was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the Highway Patrol. </p><p>Michael Nesser was in good condition on Monday, and Matthew Nesser was in fair condition, a hospital spokeswoman at WFBMC said.</p><p>Contributing circumstances by Gwaltney in the accident were inattention and crossing the center line. The speed limit in the area of where the accident occurred is 45 miles per hour. Gwaltney was estimated to be traveling 50 mph and Nesser 45 mph.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.</p>